CONTROLS Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

controls 1 of 2

noun

plural of control

as in controllers

a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system the controls for the player are well marked

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as in hands

the ability to direct the course of something after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze

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as in operations

the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas

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as in powers

the right or means to command or control others teachers are responsible for the students under their control

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controls

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of control

as in regulates

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) you must learn to control your temper

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as in contains

to gain emotional or mental control of he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks

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as in rules

to exercise authority or power over circumstances often control the choices we make in life

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as in operates

to look after and make decisions about during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of controls

Noun

Beijing has appointed its own senior monks, maintained close surveillance and controls on religious expression, and faced allegations of cracking down on peaceful dissent and forcing the large-scale relocation of rural and nomadic Tibetans. — CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026 Any information placed on this secondary display had to be available on the regular screen, and any controls available had to be available elsewhere. — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 The cabin feels more mature, with better materials than the outgoing Bolt and an intuitive layout that doesn't require a black belt to adjust the climate controls. — New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2026 American policy has understandably emphasized preserving technological leadership through frontier innovation while slowing China’s progress through export controls, investment screening, and restrictions on access to advanced computing. — Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026 With gameplay systems, mechanics, controls, and visuals fully rebuilt on Unreal Engine 5, The Coalition aims to deliver the ultimate Gears of War experience with E-Day, and at least the atmosphere and tone seem pitch-perfect. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2026 The company intentionally flew the vehicle through challenging re-entry conditions to collect data on its thermal protection system, flight controls, and structural performance. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026 There’s basically no text and only a few onscreen prompts to explain controls. — Jay Peters, The Verge, 25 July 2026 The wonky physics can't be too wonky, because janky controls can go from amusing to annoying pretty quickly. — Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026

Verb

When your estrogen levels start to drop in midlife, your hypothalamaus, the part of the brain that controls your temperature regulation. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 3 Aug. 2026 The areas Israel controls in Gaza have been mostly destroyed and depopulated. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 Hackers are changing hotel Wi-Fi DNS settings A Wi-Fi gateway controls how connected devices reach the internet. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Spidey confronts the teenage Jean, who mind-controls both the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Punisher (Jon Bernthal) in a fight against him during an attack on Damage Control headquarters. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026 Israel currently controls around 60% of Gaza, areas that have been mostly destroyed and depopulated. — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 Our story about the newest fight over public lands in Utah reveals longstanding debates over who controls the West. — Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026 The five-member HOA board controls the building; all officers are in the Airbnb business. — Joan Chrissos, Miami Herald, 28 July 2026 Whenever a single jurisdiction controls a dominant share of processing or refining capacity, investors should assume that export control risk exists, even if markets are not currently pricing it in. — Anthony Milewski, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for controls

Noun

Players use their phones as controllers, connected to the game via a QR code.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 29 July 2026
The demonstrator integrates two megawatt-class motor generators and motor controllers developed by Collins Aerospace, creating a powertrain designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 July 2026

Definition of controllers

Noun

But even with that federal response, nonprofit organizations say private donations remain critical to getting supplies directly into the hands of survivors.

— Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 31 July 2026
During a situation drill at the end of practice, Williams had Rock Ya-Sin all over him and still caught the ball above his head with two hands.

— Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of hands

Noun

Militaries often run command and control operations away from the frontlines; enemies have sought to disrupt those communications through jamming and, in the past few decades, cyberattacks.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
The integrated approach has the potential to reduce energy consumption, simplify operations, and minimize secondary waste generation compared with conventional desalination methods.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of operations

Verb

Led by Guido Pagano, PhD, a physics and astronomy professor at Rice University in Houston, Texas, the research team developed a two-knob control system that independently regulates heating and cooling.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
Herzog said clock changes disrupt circadian rhythms, the body's internal clock that regulates sleep and other biological functions.

— Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Definition of regulates

Verb

The proceedings will then go forward in a trial format, with an opportunity to appeal if the commission rules against him.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
As such neither, as per Article 16 of the FIGC’s Sports Agents rules on incompatibility and conflict of interest, would have had to leave their roles in the event Pirlo senior secured the Italy job.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Definition of rules

Verb

Much of cross-border e-commerce operates under a Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) model, where the consumer—not the merchant—is the importer of record.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026
Head Start, which operates in all 50 states, has long enjoyed robust bipartisan support.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026